[Ansteorra] Vigils for White Scarves

[Jay Rudin]

Sir Lyonel asked:

> An interesting thread was initiated on the SCA Chivalry list in response
> to the first member of the Order of the Western White Scarf. Apparently
> that gentleman sat a vigil. From an historical perspective, anyone can
> choose to hold a vigil prior to any major life change, but I began
> wondering about former and current practices here.

>Do candidates for the White Scarf in Ansteorra ever hold vigils? If yes,
> is this the norm or a rare event?"

It has happened, but extremely rarely.  Ansgar received his White Scarf at 
the same event that Cedric received his Laurel, and Cedric asked his friend 
Ansgar to "share" his vigil.

The White Scarf is always in a politically sensitive position, because 
fencing is looked down on in many kingdoms, and still illegal in one.  We 
cannot act like we think we're peers, but our responsibilties to the fencing 
community parallel those of the Chivalry to the fighting community, the 
Laurels to the arts community, and the Pelicans to the service community.

There are knights right next door in our neighbor Gleann Abhann who believe 
that we are acting like peers because we take students.  Others in other 
kingdoms think we're getting "above ourselves" because we hold meetings with 
the Crown.  But we are expected and required to do so.

So we need to be especially careful not to look like we're claiming peerage 
privileges we can avoid.  Vigils are too close for comfort.

Robin of Gilwell / Jay Rudin